Up to 45% of children will need braces at some point to fix a dental issue. Even more would benefit from braces for cosmetic reasons. Children who don’t grow up with braces turn into adults who may still need them and would still benefit from seeing an orthodontist. If you or your child would benefit from braces, it’s time for an orthodontic consultation! But how do you find the right family orthodontist for you?

Let’s talk about it. Read on to learn more.

Ask Around

When you’re looking for a new orthodontist for children or yourself, it’s a good idea to ask people you know about their own experiences.

For an orthodontist for kids, ask other local parents (like the parents of your child’s friends). They’ve likely been through the process fairly recently and they’ll be able to tell you whether or not they’d recommend their current orthodontist.

If you have coworkers or local family members with children, they can also help you.

If you’re looking for yourself, it may be better to ask other adults in your life about their own orthodontic work. While adult braces are less common than braces for children, many adults have seen orthodontists for aligners, retainers, and more.

When in doubt, talk to your dentist (or your child’s dentist). Any good orthodontist will be well-known in the local dental community. The dentist may be able to suggest a good orthodontist to you and even give you a referral.

Read Reviews

Online reviews make finding new healthcare professionals a breeze. When you don’t know anyone personally who can help, get online!

All local healthcare practices of any kind (orthodontic offices included) will have plenty of available reviews. These reviews allow you to see other happy (or unhappy) patients.

Look for an orthodontist with four or five stars and plenty of reviews. Read individual reviews to make sure that they pertain to your situation.

For example, if you’re looking for clear aligners, reviews about braces may not be relevant to you. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take them into consideration, but getting more specific will be helpful when you’re trying to make your final decision.

Check Out Individual Services

Not all orthodontists offer the same services!

There are many different types of orthodontic treatments. Some orthodontists choose to specialize in one or two to make sure they can provide the best possible care to a smaller number of clients while others will offer everything, even uncommon treatments.

Are you looking for standard metal braces? This will be easy to find as most orthodontists offer it. It gets more difficult when you’re looking for alternative braces.

For example, many orthodontists no longer use lingual braces, so you’d need to find a specialist. Some orthodontists choose not to use Invisalign clear aligners despite their popularity.

If you’re looking for an orthodontist for your children, you may want to choose one that actually offers appointments for young children and even early intervention.

Check out the services that each orthodontist offers before you make a commitment.

Keep Your Budget in Mind

It’s no secret that orthodontic work is expensive. While insurance will often cover it completely for children, not everyone has insurance and many adults want braces too!

When you contact local family orthodontists in your area, don’t be afraid to ask them about their prices. Sometimes you won’t be able to get an accurate quote until you have a consultation, but they may be able to give you a general idea of what you’ll be paying.

You should also ask about payment plans and insurance options.

Go to a Consultation

Did you know that going to a consultation doesn’t mean that you have to commit to that specific orthodontist?

When you go to an orthodontic consultation, you will have the option to get started right away. They can often start braces the same day as the consultation and scan you for your Invisalign (though the aligners won’t arrive for several weeks).

You may feel pressured to start right away, but you don’t have to. A consultation is your chance to decide whether or not you’re comfortable with that orthodontist.

You can go to multiple free consultations and return whenever you like.

Things to Look For

So what should you be looking for when you’re choosing a new orthodontist?

First, you want them to have plenty of experience. All orthodontists have extensive education, but documented years of fantastic service and happy patients will show you that they’ve grown beyond their education.

You want them to be friendly, especially if they’re working with children. A friendly orthodontist can make the idea of getting braces far less daunting for a child.

They should be open to your opinions. When an orthodontist is adjusting a patient’s smile, they take overall dental health into consideration first before considering aesthetics.

This is the right way to do things, of course, but you’re paying a lot of money for a smile you’ll love. If you’re not happy with something when treatment is supposed to be over, even if your smile is healthy, you should feel comfortable voicing your opinion and your orthodontist should be willing to work with you.

It’s Time to Find a Family Orthodontist

If you want straighter teeth for yourself or your child, start looking for a family orthodontist today! You deserve to love your smile.

Remember: get advice from peers and your dentist, read reviews, don’t forget your budget, and go to consultations until you find the best orthodontist for you and your family.

At Sing Orthodontics, we treat patients of all ages. We want all of our patients to have smiles they’re proud to show off! You can get started with a virtual consultation today.